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Manawatu boss to join Scotland staff

Manawatu ITM Cup head coach Jason O'Halloran will leave the Turbos to join Scotland's coaching staff at the end of the season.

O'Halloran will be an assistant to Scotland boss Vern Cotter and will focus on the backs, attack and skills.

He will be in charge of Manawatu's 2015 ITM Cup campaign before joining fellow New Zealander Cotter, who has been Scotland's head coach since May 2014.

"Vern made contact over the New Year to say they were looking for an attack coach with the Scotland team," O'Halloran told Fairfax Media.

"I went over for a few days in February to check it out.

"I didn't foresee I would get an opportunity with an international side so it's a pretty good opportunity."

O'Halloran guided the Manawatu Turbos to the ITM Cup Championship title last year. He turned down the job as Hurricanes skills coach and although there might have been an opening at the Chiefs too he decided to head abroad.

Cotter's brother Jeremy is the Manawatu assistant coach and he will take over the Turbos reins when O'Halloran departs.

According to Manawatu chief executive John Knowles, O'Halloran's resignation will take effect from October 30.

"We are pleased for Jason in gaining a coaching position with an international team, but sad to be losing such a quality coach from Manawatu," he said.